Spring Cleaning

It's naptime and I'm watching the light snow fall, as it has most of the day. The furthest thing from most MN minds is spring. Actually, it might be the CLOSEST thing on our minds, but still pretty far away. But yesterday I was "inspired" to share a little about the spring cleaning of the soul that I have been seeking to do lately. And it involves my house, too.

I have read and heard more and more people talk about downsizing their "stuff." There are a lot of reasons they do it - sell it to make money; fewer things to take care of, maintain, dust; an attempt to simplify life; a concerted effort to focus less on things and more on contentment. Some people share my spiritual faith and are doing it as an act of obedience or discipline for God, so they can experience greater closeness to Him. Some are doing it for themselves. But the benefits and outcomes they all share have made sense to me and resonate with me. In my pregnancy nesting, I began to shed some of these attachments, some out of necessity to make room for Baby 'Tias and some to make life easier when I have limited time to clean and some for that age-old search for contentment.

This weekend, that desire to pare down our stuff hit again and I realized anew the spiritual benefits for our family and myself if we can shed some of this stuff. Our culture tells us more, new, better and what's new or better is constantly changing. It is easy for me to get drawn into that mentality and that breeds discontent. I look at our house, trying to make room for the growing number of toys, books, and gear of a growing family, and realize how our stuff can begin to take over and take ownership of me when I let it.

I'm tired of trying to find places for everything and keep everything in it's place and free of dust, clutter, etc. I feel as though it has taken over my life and I want to make a change. I want my heart and my time to be set on bigger things, heavenly things. I want to have time to train up my children in the Way they should go, not spend my hours dusting and sweeping. And so I have set my mind to get serious about getting rid of things.

I have done several dumps and purges over time, giving away gently used household items, knick knacks and clothes on a regular basis. But I've determined that it is time to really get serious, to finally get rid of some of the stuff that we've been meaning to (like the previous owners old paint they kindly left, our own old paint, giant old computer monitors) as well as the stuff that I keep around thinking I might want it, use it or wear it at some point down the road. This stuff is stifling me and it is preventing me attaching myself to Christ, because I am attached to it.

I believe that if I can part with some of my material possessions, Christ will be able to take greater possession of my heart and my character, which is what I want. When I am not tied to the care and cleaning and organizing of so much stuff I can be more tied to the care, training and teaching of myself and my children, and the Holy Spirit can do a greater work in me because I have more time, energy and devotion for the things that matter to me and not the things that consume my house. If I can complete this spring cleaning of my house, it will affect my soul and spirit. I will be better able to turn my attention to Him and His desires...and it is that to which I am called through His Word and Work.